[MR] Wikipedia: Gowrie Conspiracy and James VI of Scotland

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

On this date in 1600, an attempt to kidnap or murder King James VI of
Scotland was launched by John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie, and his brother
Alexander Ruthven.

The exact reason for the plot remains a mystery, however John and
Alexander's grandfather, the 1st Earl of Gowrie, had held James prisoner
for nearly a year in 1582-1583. The Earl was spared for a time. He
continued to plot against the young James with English support and was
later beheaded for treason. In addition, the younger Ruthvens appear to
have been in the pay of the English, and had visited Queen Elizabeth and
sworn allegiance to her.

While hunting near Perth, the King and some of his retainers were lured to
Ruthven Castle on the pretext of questioning a foreigner arrested with a
large amount gold. James was separated from the rest of his followers by
Alexander and lured into a separate room where the "prisoner" was said to
be. Alexander then threatened the King's life and attempted to bind him.
James was freed by some of his retainers who broke into the room, and
Alexander was wounded, then offed by the King's men. John Ruthven, who had
attempted to delay James' retainers then entered the fray, and was also
killed.

It is surprising that James, who was already rather paranoid and lived in
fear of his Scottish nobles, could be so easily lured into a trap. No
wonder that he was keen to get out of Scotland as fast as possible once he
inherited the English crown.

More about the Gowrie conspiracy and its aftermath is found at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ruthven,_3rd_Earl_of_Gowrie .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆